John McLeod Murphy, civil engineer, was born 14 February 1827 in Westchester County, N.Y., and was appointed midshipman 10 August 1841. Resigning as a passed midshipman 10 May 1852. He served in the war with Mexico, and in 1851 was detailed as hydrographic assistant on Major John G. Barnard’s survey of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. In 1853 he visited Mexico, and in 1855 he was surveyor of the city of New York. He was constructing engineer of the Brooklyn Navy-Yard in 1856. In the later year he was commissioned colonel of New York engineers, and took part in the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac until the close of 1862. He was appointed acting lieutenant, USN, 4 December 1862 and took command of gunboat Carondelet 4 March 1863, skippering that ship during the joint Army-Navy Expedition in Steele’s Bayou under Rear Adm. David D. Porter, 18 to 24 March, in which he landed with two boat howitzers and 300 men near Rolling Fork to hold that place until the Union ships could cover it with their guns. He next took Carondelet off Vicksburg engaging batteries at that Confederate fortress many times from 18 May to 3 July, being commended by Admiral Porter for energetic attention to orders and ready cooperation with Army corps commanders assaulting the fortress. Acting Lieutenant Murphy relinquished command of the gunboat 1 September and resigned his commission 30 July 1864 and resumed his profession as a civil engineer. Murphy was a frequent contributor to the newspaper and periodical press on subjects connected with his specialty. He died in New York City in 1884. Digital ID: cwpb 05342, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Bill Gonyo

82k

Artist's conception of the Murphy as she appeared in World War II by the renowned graphic illustrator John Barrett with the text written by naval author and historian Robert F. Sumrall. Their company Navy Yard Associates offers prints of most destroyers, destroyer escorts, submarines and aircraft carriers in various configurations during the ship's lifetime. The prints can be customized with ship's patches, your photograph, your bio, etc. If you decide to purchase artwork from them please indicate that you heard about their work from NavSource.

Mid-1942 overhead view of the USS Murphy (DD-603) underway. The ship is seen, as commissioned, with Measure MS12 (mod) camouflage scheme. Source: United States National Archives.

Mike Green

165k

August 8 1942 in New York Navy Yard.

Ed Zajkowski

107k

Taken from USS New York (BB-34) during SAFI, the trip over to the invasion of Africa. From the collection of Thomas C. Edrington III who was Gunnery Officer on the New York at this time.

Thomas C. Edrington IV & his daugher Kyra Larn Edrington

114k

As above, alongside the New York for refueling. From the collection of Thomas C. Edrington III.

Thomas C. Edrington IV & his daugher Kyra Larn Edrington

108k

Aerial view of the USS Murphy (DD-603) dropping depth charges on a U-boat in the North Atlantic in 1943. US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No. 1993.501.073.065.

Mike Green

32k

Starboard broadside view of the aft 2/3 of the USS Murphy (DD-603) on October 21, 1943. The destroyer was struck between the bridge and forward stack by the tanker SS Bulkoil.

Mike Green

41k

Looking directly astern, view of the USS Murphy (DD-603) after being struck by the tanker SS Bulkoil on October 21, 1943. The ship was struck between the bridge and the forward stack, destroying the stack area.

Mike Green

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USS Murphy (DD-603) under tow by the USS Glennon (DD-620) until a Coast Guard Tug can arrive to relieve her, October 21 1943.

Mike Green

172k

April 1 1944 in New York Navy Yard.

Ed Zajkowski

155k

April 1 1944 in New York Navy Yard.

Ed Zajkowski

366k

Four views of the visit of King Ibn Saud of Saudia Arabia aboard the Murphy at Jeddah on February 12 1945. From the April 1945 edition of BUREAU OF NAVAL PERSONNEL INFORMATION BULLETIN.

Ed Zajkowski

215k

As above.

Ed Zajkowski

179k

As above.

Ed Zajkowski

285k

As above.

Ed Zajkowski

USS MURPHY DD-603 History
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The contact listed, Was the contact at the time for this ship when located. If another person now is the contact, E-mail me and I will update this entry. These contacts are compiled from various sources over a long period of time and may or may not be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact if more than one contact was found.